BRIDPORT 5 WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 40

SIX-TRY Weymouth & Portland had too much in their locker for rivals Bridport at the Brewery Field on Saturday.

A strong and well-organised visiting side ran out 40-5 winners to move up to fourth in Dorset & Wilts Two South.

As with Swanage & Wareham the previous week, a young Blues’ side put up a spirited performance in defeat, with no fewer than seven Colts being used.

In fact, first blood went to Bridport when a charge down fell kindly to Darragh McCloughlin and he went over unopposed.

Rory Greening, back from a long injury lay-off, was unable to add the conversion.

However, Weymouth & Portland responded immediately and Ryan Keable-Kinsella touched down for Bryn Llewellyn to convert.

Bridport, who gave debuts to youngsters Cullian Lennon and Joel Vincent-Jones, enjoyed some good possession and more than one scoring opportunity went begging.

Weymouth stepped up a gear shortly before the interval and registered two tries through Joe Gibson and George Carter, one of which was converted by Llew-ellyn from a tight angle.

The visitors, leading 19-5, maintained their dominance when the second half got underway.

Two more converted tries to the visitors followed, the first by Duncan Bezzant and the second by Jack Morrison, to take the game away from the Blues.

Bridport still had their moments, forcing four penalties close to their opponents’ try line, though each time they were stopped agonisingly short.

As the end approached, the visiting forwards drove over for a sixth try, claimed by Gibson, and Llewellyn’s conversion went in off the post.

“I thought our handling was outstanding and we really did move the ball well,” said Wey-mouth & Portland coach Paul Harding.

He added: “The backs and forwards combined well too.

“I think the lads always had a performance like that waiting to happen, but there are definitely still things we can work on.

“Overall, we have to be happy to come away from a game like that with such a big win.”

Harry Richardson was named Bridport’s man of the match for an excellent all-round performance in the back row.